Today, I did a little bit more shaping of my future for the coming months. It's an interesting life.

This morning, I completed the job application for Wild Oats Market, just in time to leave the Castle Lair at 11:40, so I could drop it by on the way to meet with some people for lunch.

I decided that I wanted a copy of it for myself to keep, both record keeping in general, and in case I wanted to re-use any of the information I had written for other job applications. So I stopped by a competing grocery store chain to use the coin operated photocopier.

As I rounded the corner of 92nd and Wadsworth, my cell phone rang. It was a call from scottgalvin.com, who informed me that the lunch meeting would need to be delayed until 13:10.

Fine for me. This would allow me a little more time at Wild Oats, in case I needed to talk to anybody. (I knew stopping by right as lunch hour was approaching was probably not the best time to try to talk to them, since that's when there might be a rush of customers, people probably be taking breaks, etc. But... it was right on my way, so I decided to at least see what was happening.)

I stopped in, looking around the store a bit, again considering whether this would be an environment where I might want to work for a few months. I decided that it would be, assuming the pay isn't too terribly low.

I bought a juice smoothie to drink, and inquired whether the store manager might be around. After being redirected a couple times, as I paid for my drink at the checkout stand, the clerk there told me that probably the best way to get in touch with relevant decision makers would be to call around 11:00 tomorrow, and gave me the name of the person to talk to. I should the application until meeting with that person.

Good enough. I will be placing a call tomorrow morning.

<mini-rant>

Making an efficient decision would be a lot easier for a prospective job hunter if restaurants, grocery stores, fast food chains, and other places would quit being so ridiculously secretive about the potential terms of employment.

I would like to see a public list of wage scales, benefits (if one is seeking full-time, which I am not currently), job expectations, and other information so I can make more efficiently make an informed decision about where I want to work.

As it seems to be right now, when I go into a place and ask about such things, they offer me an application, and say we can discuss details later. Come on! Service industry work is "more or less" a commodity market. It would make everybody's life smoother if I could see what competing businesses were offering, what they expect in return, and then make an informed decision as to whether it's even worth filling out an application.

As it is right now, if I want to comparison shop, I have to waste everybody's resources by filling out multiple applications, conduct interviews (wastes companies' time too), and eventually derive which is the better deal.

I just want to know the basic standard terms. Oh well.

Even if Wild Oats offers me a position, I intend to go to whatever lengths are required to find out what other possible jobs around here would offer. At least 2 other businesses. Then I can decide, based on which deal I like the best.

</mini-rant>

After Wild Oats, I still had some extra time, so I decided to wander across the parking lot to Wal Mart, since there were a few household items I remembered needing, like soap. On the way to Wal Mart, I stopped at Best Buy. Probably not the best idea for somebody who's unemployed, but... you know...

Once in Best Buy, I remembered that there was one just-released item I knew I would want. I had to at least check the price. $15.99 sale during release week. Too good to pass up.

I bought a copy of Pulp Fiction, Collector's Edition. (If I still had the employment status I did a week ago, I would have been tempted to also get Jackie Brown, released on the same day. But I refrained from that second temptation, due to my current financial situation.)

Having made a trasaction at Best Buy, I proceeded on to Wal Mart, where I got boring items such as soap, windex, toothpaste, paper towels.

After that, it was off to Wahoos!

I pulled into the parking lot just as the clock hit 13:10. In the restaurant, I found Jaeger and scottgalvin.com already seated.

scottgalvin.com bought us lunch, and we discussed business possibilities for the future. (Proprietary and confidential, in a public restaurant. lol.)

After a lengthy lunch, the three of us headed to Bitscape's Castle Lair to watch DVD special features. We also made a stop by the Westminster branch office of buildmeasite for an official meeting to discuss corporate strategy.

After being wowed for a few hours by scottgalvin.com's PowerPointyEared presentations, I decided that I would accept the temporary short term contracting offer. For the next 2 months (more or less), I will be doing some part time contract work for buildmeasite.

It will be interesting. Of that, I am sure. Nothing more is certain.

...

Going through my gnucash books late this afternoon, a fuller realization set in. For the near future, I am no longer going to be pulling in a bi-monthly paycheck of the amount I have become accustomed to. I knew it a week before tomorrow, but it didn't really sink in.

This week, the way I have been spending money almost reflects a sort of denial. New tv antenna. A new cd. A must-have DVD release.

I haven't even found another job yet! (Aside from the contracting agreement.) I don't guilt myself for getting these things. They help me cope with what's going on. However, when I look at the cash in the bank, and the bills that are ahead for the coming weeks, I know the truth: This has to stop! Now.

Getting the GameCube Mario game will have to wait. I'm sure it will still be around a year from now. Other similar interests will also have to be put on hold.

I still intend to pay one more visit to an "independent personal consulting agent" (or whatever term you want to use). I've told myself I would. I've told her I would. One followup visit. It needs to be done. Period. I am figuring this expense into my budgeting plans.

Regarding lodging: I'm holding to the theory that I'll probably move out of this residence sometime around November or December. My earlier plan had been to take out a loan on a small mobile home, but given my new employment status, it might be harder to convince creditors of my legitimacy. We'll see. I haven't completely given up on the idea.

If I end up renting again, I'll endeavor to find someplace much cheaper. I can do without amenities for a while. But I will continue to enjoy this apartment for at least the next two months. :)

Regarding debt: I'm going to stop car payments for the next few months. I'm not required to pay anything more on it for at least the next year (I should double check this by calling their hotline again). Even if I'm not making payments for a while, that balance will need to be in the back of my mind when making other financial decisions.

Tonight: Relax. Maybe keep a few more promises made to friends. Prepare the area around me for transformation into a pseudo "home office", so I can work without quite so much clutter. And maybe enjoy a little entertainment. Maybe. I've got plenty of that stored up around here. :)